Thursday, December 17, 2009

simplicity


do you know how many charm squares make a king size quilt?

483.

do you know how many hours it takes to sew them together?

neither do I. I started sewing these together at the retreat in the beginning of November. It seemed to take for-ever.


The fabric is simplicity by Moda. I absolutely L-O-V-E this fabric. This is going to be my summer look for my bed. I think it goes without saying that my husband doesn't care how girly our quilts are. Hurray for that!

71 comments:

Amy, a redeemed sheep said...

I just bought some of this fabric the other day with my birthday money! I love your quilt!!

Suburban Stitcher said...

Very Very pretty! Love that fabric!

RosaMarĂ­a said...

i love it! i'm thinking about a spring/summer quilt... those colors are so great!

Sarah said...

Awesome fabric, and great work on the quilt.....I have a sort of novice question, but I just started making my kiddo's some small quilts that I sew with my sewing machine but I sometimes have a hard time matching all the corners up. Is there an easy way to make sure that everything goes together and looks good? Thanks.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

I have a huge bag of 3" squares I was thinking about doing that to... hmm, sounds like a lot of work! looks good though!

Andi said...

With crisp white sheets underneath.
Perfect!!!!

Loralynn said...

Beautiful! Those fabrics are simply lovely! My Hubby is awesome about girly stuff too!

Renee said...

L O V E !!!
I've been cutting fabric for a quilt just about like this one... wishing I'd have bought the charm squares instead, lol.

Audrie said...

So lovely... the prints are so pretty! I told my husband we're never changing our queen bed to a king one because I can't muster the strength to make king quilts lol

I used to try to make our quilts less girly but my husband has since informed me he doesn't care one way or the other. I've got our next quilt planned... it's got PINK! hee!

Erin said...

Wow, what an accomplishment! I have a pile of various Moda charm squares I've been eying to turn into our king-sized quilt, but just haven't mustered the gumption to do it yet. After the holidays, I reckon, I'll get started. I'm sure the end result will be worth it, but wowsers, the time involved!

Angela Nash said...

I don't think I could have brought myself to count how many it took. That's like when I counted the number of bulbs I planted in HALF the yard. It was nearly 900 and I freaked out!

Crystal Hendrix said...

I really like it!! I love the plain square look too!! I am making 2 different ones now. But wow that took a lot of charm packets!! Looks wonderful!

Luv 2 Kreate said...

That;s a lot of charms!

Renee said...

I'm in the middle of quilting a lap sized version of your quilt in this fabric too! This is my very first quilt made just for me and I adore it :)

Your king size quilt is beautiful - I almost wish I had made mine bigger!

amy said...

21 x 23?

that is a big quilt! it's going to be a monster to quilt!

Rose said...

My husband would never sleep under that blanket!!! Gorgeous

Diane said...

That is lovely. My hubby would gripe too, but.... I don't pick out his golf clubs, so he doesn't pick out my fabric :)

HOPE said...

Love it. This reminds me of the Faded Memories Collection quilt I am in the process of making (yep, I still have my collection from waaay back when) I can't wait to finish it...I'm using the disappearing nine patch with rick rack.

I cannot begin to imagine that many squares..

HOPE

Live a Colorful Life said...

it's beautiful. So gray and cloudy today. Your quilt is springy and beautiful.

Mom said...

It is a nice, light look. Here's one I made from this line for my MIL last Christmas-
http://quiltsoflove.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-last-christmas-quilt-gift.html

Unknown said...

Lucky girl that hubby doesn't mind. It looks beautiful and holy cow, did you cut them all out or have precuts?

Jocelyn said...

Wow such pretty fabric. Love how it it turning out. Can't wait to see it finished.

Natalia from Piece N Quilt said...

Darling! I love the simplicity of it! :)

Dandelion Quilts said...

I love that it is simple and that you have kept count! Wow. I have always liked this line.

beth said...

look at all those matchy, matchy points! you're so GOOD!

Terry said...

I've been collecting charm packs to make into a king size quilt for our bed. I think I have a long ways to go! Yours is beautiful! :0)

What Comes Next? said...

Beautiful! Its H.U.G.E! have fun quilting it now!

Thimbleanna said...

Those are the best kind of quilts -- plain, simple patches. Very Pretty Amanada Jean!

Lenna Green of Stitching Cow said...

Love the colors in your quilt, it's probably just as well you didn't calculate the time involved with joining. I'm going to have to check that fabric range out. A girl could always so with more fabric!!!!!

Jessica Christensen said...

Oh, I love this fabric too! I have a quilt made from this sitting in the flimsy queue. I can't get it out yet, because I have to finish Christmas gifts. Looks lovely -- and it looks a lot of hours.

Leini a.k.a. my_free_speech said...

What kind of retreat?

peaknits said...

wow - this is lovely - as always! 483 charms squares...egads...:)

fabricartist21 said...

I would never had guessed it took that many charm squares. I made a pyramid quilt and used 888 pyramids. That was enough for me. Calling all bloggers I am having a huge giveaway on my blog and will be add a new item everyday until 12/24. Check it out.

Cheryl said...

I love that line when it came out. I can't find any of it anymore. You must of bought a good dose of it to make a king size quilt. Can't wait to see how you will quilt it.

bernie said...

I love that quilt! I have always wondered how many charm sqs wud cover my king bed too - thanks! How do you get the seams to line up so accurately?? I can't seem to get mine that way. Is there some method or trick to it? Please put me out of my misery!!
I get alot of inspiration from your work, Thanks a bunch!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

I bet it does take FOR EV ER! But it will be amazing for next summer!

Mama Urchin said...

I was sitting with you while you sewed many of those and that makes me smile.

Leslie said...

what a good husband!!! that is one big quilt and a whole bunch of squares

Allison said...

Wow that's a big project!!! Do you sew your squares into big long rows and then sew them together...or do you sew the blocks into bigger blocks and then sew those together? I never can decide which to do but usually i just sew long rows together. I think the results might work better and end up straighter doing big blocks though...but I've never actually tried it! That fabric is beautiful! It looks shabby chic and cute cute cute!

Alana Jo said...

OMG how beautiful!!!!

Anonymous said...

hello that is very pretty.
die colors and patern is fantastik.

greatings conny

Theresa said...

There's nothing like the simplicity of squares - great choice! Merry Christmas too!

Anonymous said...

thanks for a great idea!!

Marie said...

it's fab -- how are you going to quilt it....long arm? a lotta fabric, batting and basting! lol

Suzanne said...

You have amazing perseverance. Now I have to go sew! The kids get out of school today and I'm not ready to give up my daytime independence!

Did I just admit that out loud?

Better here to you (all) than to them, right?

The Calico Cat said...

My husband doesn't care either.

I guess by your numbers that my obscene number of novelty/I SPY charms is "enough."

Jan Hatchett said...

Gorgeous fabric and a wonderful quilt.

Rebekah said...

you and all of your king-sized quilts! I'm amazed. A full-sized quilt usually does me in :)

Mountain Home Quilts said...

Um yes, unfortunately I am painfully aware of how many charm squares it takes. I have vowed to never do that again!! :) lol

diplofam said...

wow! I think it will take longer to quilt that--I quilted a lap-sized quilt yesterday and my shoulders were screaming at me to stop. Do you have that problem too?
Merry Christmas!

rachel griffith said...

adorable.
:)

lera said...

That is very pretty. How many charms are in a pack???

Cristin said...

WOWZA thats a ton of piecing! Do you pin each block when sewing the rows together so the corners match up? (Nesting, I believe?) I despise matching up corners... you're my hero! =) Gorgeous girly quilt!

Aimee said...

Gorgeous!! I love it! Either your husband doesn't care, or he's too smart to say otherwise! : )

Lara said...

Absolutely gorgeous! That's a lot of charms to sew together but will be so worth it!

Snooze said...

So cool to see the very first quilt I want to make alrady made and on a bed ... and it's gorgeous.

PS My DH doesn't care about girlyness either! LOL

Wendy P said...

Lovely! Very heirloom looking.

Clair said...

Guess what? I only have 48 or something, so I cannot make a king size quilt.

Sara said...

Awesome! On both...

crazycrafter said...

483?! WOW! I love the colors in the quilt!

Kelly Casanova said...

Oh, I really love this, well worth the time and effort spent. Unfortunately my husband does mind how girly things are!

Kristin said...

Simply gorgeous!

knittinbrit_in_wi said...

I'm sorry, but did you say the end of November?!!! I don't know how long it takes you to sew 483 squares together, but it would take me a good site longer.

It's beautiful!

Debbie said...

Looks great! I am working with charm squares for the first time and am having a VERY hard time matching corners - is there a trick or am I really that poor at sewing? Can you sense the frustration?? :)

Ann Rose said...

I just love the look of that quilt! Do you have any hints for beginning quilters on how to match up seams/corners neatly? I'm trying for the same look in a baby sized quilt from charm squares, but matching up the seams is frustrating, even when I pin each intersection as accurately as I can. Maybe I should just stick to knitting?

Mama Spark said...

I love this fabric too. I used the blues and greens to make a wedding quilt for a friend then took the leftovers to make a small quilt for the bride's mama to remember the wedding (they live in Brazil and the bride is an only child living here)

america said...

I do not have any idea about the queen size but I know that it is really big.All the best and the picture looks very nice.

Julie @ Jaybird Quilts said...

no i didn't know... and i can imagine it took forever... did you do it in rows.. or as 4 patches?..

trish said...

So pretty! It will make such a precious bed for summer!
Goodness ... 483 squares huh?! :o) I will keep that note for myself. :o)
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

Christine said...

Love it!!! Perfect summer quilt.

saralynn said...

very pretty im sewing together a 500 square king size charm like this at the moment

should get the last bit pieced tomorrow yey